For those of you who don't know, Peter Mayhew was the performer who played Chewbacca, the furry creature from "Star Wars." The British-born actor died at his estate in Texas on April 30. Peter's family shared the information on Mayhew's Twitter page on Thursday. The cause of death has not been given. A funeral service for friends and loved ones is planned at the end of June, with a meeting scheduled to take place in Los Angeles in December, the notice said.

Chewbacca was his biggest role, the Wookiee, who fought for good in five Star Wars films alongside Han Solo. Han Solo actor Harrison Ford described Mayhew as a wonderful friend.

Mark Hamill, who plays Luke Skywalker in the space saga, also made similar comments on Twitter. Hamill, said he was proud to have had so many beautiful moments with Mayhew. He was a great man with a big heart, he added.

Peter Mayhew was 74.